Disability insurance is protection against the financial burden of losing your income should you become disabled and can’t work. Coverage comes in the form of benefits paid to you monthly as if they were paychecks, and the amount should be about 60% of the income you were earning before you became disabled.

You pay for disability insurance in the form of premiums, which vary depending on factors like your health history, financial situation, and the amount and type of coverage you need. Premiums keep your disability insurance policy in force and failing to pay the premiums could result in a loss of coverage.

Although disability insurance benefits account for only 60% of your income, that amount comes close to matching your regular take-home pay. That’s because disability insurance benefits from a policy you buy independently are not taxed.

However, in some cases, disability benefits are subject to tax. Whether you owe taxes on disability insurance benefits depends on how your premiums are paid. Read on to learn more.

Tax-free disability insurance benefits

Disability insurance benefits are tax-free if the policy was paid for with after-tax dollars. That prevents you from being taxed twice. While disability insurance benefits are meant to replace income, they are not classified as income for the purposes of reporting your taxes.

Employer-sponsored disability coverage

Many people get disability insurance through their employer. These are either (or both) long-term and short-term policies that we usually recommend you take because they may be partially or wholly subsidized by your employer. Such disability insurance policies are usually paid for with pre-tax dollars, meaning that you’ll have to pay taxes on the benefits if you receive them.

Likewise, if your employer pays for all or part of the insurance premium, you’ll have to pay taxes on the benefits. The percentage of the benefit that is taxable is equivalent to the percentage your employer paid and any percentage of the premiums you paid with pre-tax dollars. (The proportion you paid for in post-tax dollars is still tax-free.)

Employee-sponsored disability insurance benefits are considered a form of income; see below for the current federal income tax brackets.

Takeaway

You won't pay tax on any disability insurance benefits you paid for with after-tax dollars.

Reporting disability insurance benefits on your tax return

You do not have to pay taxes on disability benefits you receive if you purchased your policy with after-tax dollars. But those who receive their policy through their employer may have to. Taxable disability insurance benefits are classified as “sick pay,” so if you anticipate receiving benefits, you have to submit IRS Form W-4S, titled “Request for Federal Income Tax Withholding From Sick Pay” to the insurance company. You can also make estimated tax payments using Form 1040-ES, “Estimated Tax for Individuals,” which you’ll file directly to the IRS.

If you start receiving taxable benefits, you need to include the amount of benefits you receive on your tax return as part of your salary or wages when you file. (That’s the “Wages, salaries, tips, etc.” line on Form 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ.) As with reporting traditional wages and salaries, if the amount you paid in estimated tax (as reported on the 1040-ES) or via income tax withholding (as reported on the W-4S) is higher than what you actually owe, you’ll receive a refund. If you paid too little tax, you’ll have to pay more to make up the difference on Tax Day.

The IRS will let you deduct qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses if you’re eligible to itemize your deductions, so if your disability benefits cover medical care and you owe taxes on them, those medical expenses may negate the tax.

Current tax rates

In March 2018, the IRS released updated tax tables, which were mandated by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The new rates are as follows, sorted by filing status:

Individuals

Income

Tax

$0 - $9,525

10%

$9,526 - $38,700

12%

$38,701 - $82,500

22%

$82,501 - $157,500

24%

$157,501 - $200,000

32%

$200,001 - $500,000

35%

$500,001 and up

37%

Married Filing Jointly and Qualifying Widower/Widow

Income

Tax

$0 - $19,050

10%

$19,051 - $77,400

12%

$77,401 - $165,000

22%

$165,001 - $315,000

24%

$315,001 - $400,000

32%

$400,001 - $600,000

35%

$600,000 and up

37%

Married Filing Separately

Income

Tax

$0 - $9,525

10%

$9,526 - $38,700

12%

$38,701 - $82,500

22%

$82,501 - $157,500

24%

$157,501 - $200,000

32%

$200,001 - $300,000

35%

$300,001 and up

37%

Head of Household

Income

Tax

$0 - $13,600

10%

$13,601 - $51,800

12%

$51,801 - $82,500

22%

$82,501 - $157,500

24%

$157,501 - $200,000

32%

$200,001 - $500,000

35%

$500,001 and up

37%

Policygenius’ editorial content is not written by an insurance agent. It’s intended for informational purposes and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Consult a professional to learn what financial products are right for you.

Yes, we have to include some legalese down here. Read it larger on our legal page. Policygenius Inc. (“Policygenius”) is a licensed independent insurance broker. Policygenius does not underwrite any insurance policy described on this website. The information provided on this site has been developed by Policygenius for general informational and educational purposes. We do our best efforts to ensure that this information is up-to-date and accurate. Any insurance policy premium quotes or ranges displayed are non-binding. The final insurance policy premium for any policy is determined by the underwriting insurance company following application. Savings are estimated by comparing the highest and lowest price for a shopper in a given health class. For example: for a 30-year old non-smoker male in South Carolina with excellent health and a preferred plus health class, comparing quotes for a $500,000, 20-year term life policy, the price difference between the lowest and highest quotes is 60%. For that same shopper in New York, the price difference is 40%. Rates are subject to change and are valid as of 2/17/17.